Trial set for cop accused of assaulting drunk man

Wednesday

Jun 27, 2007 at 12:01 AMJun 27, 2007 at 10:49 PM

The Crookston police officer accused of assaulting an intoxicated Crookston man while taking him into custody during Ox Cart Days last summer appeared in Ninth District Court on June 25, and a trial was scheduled for July 24.

Mike Christopherson

The Crookston police officer accused of assaulting an intoxicated Crookston man while taking him into custody during Ox Cart Days last summer appeared in Ninth District Court on June 25, and a trial was scheduled for July 24.

Donald Rasicot, 47, has been on paid leave since the complaint by Jason Knutson led to an investigation that resulted in two counts of misconduct of a public official and one count of fifth-degree assault being filed against Rasicot.

Tim Faver of Beltrami County is prosecuting the case on behalf of Polk County. Rasicot is being represented by Peter Wold.

Before being hired in Crookston, Rasicot was dismissed by the city of Minneapolis for using excessive force while employed as a police officer there.

As for the Crookston case, Rasicot is accused of dragging Knutson to a holding cell at the Northwest Regional Corrections Center and kicking Knutson in the head. In the process, according to the complaint, Knutson received a cut on his head when his head struck the door of the holding cell.

City Administrator Aaron Parrish said that Flaherty and Hood, the St. Paul law firm that provides employment law legal services to the city of Crookston, continues to conduct an investigation on behalf of the city into Rasicot's employment by the city.